Recap

As an outcome of my previous quarter's process of experimentation with wooden box carvings, wooden hangers, learning to work with resin, making molds, and creating compositions by integrating resin into other things, practicing with Pebeo "moon glow" paint, working with intersecting planes, and growing crystals and watching them develop--my BFA project morphed and changed several times until it finally came together in my mind and I knew what I wanted to do. My plan at the beginning of this quarter was to create a series of 5 custom-made "shadow boxes," similar yet at the same time different, each with an exterior piece of plexi-glass to contain/hold several elements: a photograph/painting, layers of resin and various other elements such a colored broken stained glass, bits of real crystal fractals etc. The subject of each photo is a friend, taken through the lens of a crystal which is be printed on Mylar for a clear effect. The next step is to paint portions of the photograph with transparent Vitrial paint to achieve a textured stained-glass look, then attach the photo/painting to the box as the first layer, adding other multiple layers of resin, paint, and objects that together provide a 3-D effect. The last step will be to add LED battery-operated fairy lights to the back of each box for accent lighting. The boxes will be hung with a D-ring on each side.

My first week's work was to make the boxes. I went to Rocker's to buy beautiful wood that would compliment the composition inside. I chose a rich, dark walnut wood and bought 3 long pieces of wood to make the first 3 boxes. I decided to make them fairly good-sized--18" x 24". I asked for Craig's help cutting the wood and gluing the pieces together. I think they turned out beautifully. The most difficult part was deciding if I should use real glass or plexi-glass for the outside frame. The dilemma was getting the glass cut right and finding a way to hold it in the frame. I didn't think just glue would hold once I added the weight of resin and other objects. Ideally, I could've used some woodworking tools to route out a groove inside that would help hold the glass, but I've never done that before and didn't have the technical wood-working skills. Also, glass is heavy, and by time I finished the entire box, I was afraid it would be super heavy. So, instead, I used lightweight plexi-glass using silicone glue to attach to the outside of the box. The glue does show a little, though, so I've purchased some real thin walnut "peel and stick" borders that will cover it and frame the box nicely. (I added the D-rings to the back.) Chinn has been extremely helpful in keeping me on tracking with my scheduling and organization.

Box #1: Roddy was really supportive of me and helped me print my photo of my friend, Samantha on clear Mylar paper. I loved the photo of her and how the crystal multiplied her face and body into 3 images. I took the photo of her sitting in front of a DoJo door, and there was a circle behind her, which encircled her head and made her look like a madonna. The color was provided by the walls and surrounding environment. The crystal took these colors and shapes and split them into fractal planes--a fragmentation of reality in a sort of collage. I painted Sam's photo with the transparent paint, intending to only paint some of the planes, but I kept on going, and I like it finished for my first one. I did create some clear spaces by cutting out pieces of the Mylar and collaging them. I experimented as I went along but I think it worked. Next, I poured a layer of resin over the photo/painting, using the box as my mold, then I added another layer of resin with bits of broken stained-glass pieces. I like the way the resin permanently captured air bubbles, adding additional texture.